The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-23
was beginning to keep her away from church as

beginning to keep her away from church as
well prayer-meetng.
On q late October day, with crispness and
sparkle in it, which limited only cheerfully of
coming frost and cold Mis- Amos Pingree the
poor mistress. stopped at Mis- 'Lakim's gate A
plump and comfortable woman was Mis- Pin
gree. who mourned her troubles loudly, and
shed them as easily as ducks back sheds
water.
..When it's troubles of the Lords sendin'
amt got nothin' Co say but the mischeervous-
of human cretures is more'n can stand"
she said. Now I've got poor old Cam Isr'el
down with the brain fever a sufferin, and burn
in. and screecnin' night and day, because some
fool had to come up to the poor-house with that
story about his son bein' seen around hero
drunk. l tried to keep him from hearin' it, but
he and old Job Mudgegt got to quarrelin, and
Cap'n Isrel twitted him with courtin' lot of
girls before ne could get to have him. Think
of such childishness in them old creturs!-and
Job he up aud flung 1t at him about his I
woudnt hardly have thought he'd have took it
in at all, bein he was sure he was somewheres
among the savages. He appeared like
body that's got sudden blow. didn's know
at first but twas goin give him back his proper
senses He went right off down TO 'Lishas to
see if twas true. Adeline told him right off
twas.
"If the Lord forgives anybody for bein' mean
and graspin' he ought to forgive her, for sense
she hain't got. He went wanderin' off into the
woods, and when we found him he was out OF
his head. a mutterin' don't expect he can live
through it. aud it seems If the Lord would
give him an easy release. But for them that
spread that story that never believed there
mite of truth"
30 don't! don't!n Mis- 'I4iakm dropped the
geranum she was Gliding, breaking the pot to
fragments. and sank down in the garden path.
holding out her hands as if to ward off blow.
'Lecty came to the rescue.
Mothers been working hard, and she hasn't
been we'll lately" she said.
Well pottin plants is hard work" admitted
Mrs. Pngree. "But land! it amt keepin' the
poor-house"
Not word about Capn Isrers illness was
betw
'Lecty. going every day to the poor-house to in
qure, came home and impaired the cheerful
news that he was better. that his sturdy consti-
tuition going to bear even this strain. Then
Mis- 'Liakim dropped her head upon 'Lecty's
shoulder and wept
..Its something that amt a murderer Lee
ty." she said.
There came day when Cap'n Isrel was so far
convaescenr that 'Lecty carried bit OF jelly
which she had made. and two pink that
blossomed on her monthly bush.
"Somethugs happened, mebbe I'd better pre-
pare YOU" said good Mis- Pingree. IF ever /
doubt that there's a Providence watchin' over
poor human creturs-To think of that poor old
mans ransom that short-sighted folks has
sneered at really fetchin' things to pass. Yes.
white child! Missionary Babbage-hes good
man, if the Lord ever made one-he thought
twas real pitiful about Capt Isr'el and he was
tellin' OF it to the table at a boardin house in
San Francisco One of the boarders had a
friend visitin' him, young man. that was ter
ribe interested soft Mr.. Babbage fetched the
things, tnat ne na0n & LnrOWe0 away because
he couldn't bear to- and showed en- to him.
Well. the young nan be started for Bloomfield
the next day, and he's upstairs now with his
father
IL think I'd better CO." murmured 'Lecty,
family. Her heart was beating SO wildly. and
it was so long!
Ben might have been changed-but there was
a quick step the stairs Mis- Pingree turned a
benevolent back, and instead of running away
'Leety found her cheek unaccountably grazing
Ben Hollinay's coat buttons.
"It's been q hard pull" said Ben. when a little
later they were sitting, side by side on the fun
eral har-cloth sofa in the dingy poor-house par
lor-which mighs have been the Elvsiau Fields
for all they knew-but was determined not to
come back until had proved that I wasn't
eood-for nothing If had only known what
was happening herea
Ben set his teeth very hard at the thought of
'Lisha and Adelne. I'D had tempting offer
to 60 to Hong Kong, and / was debating it
when I heard that missionary tell the story
about poor father, never guessing who it was.
for he called no names until | saw those blue
beads-they would have drawn me home,
make good home for you, Lecty; father is like
q child at the thought of going with me-. And
your mother7 Will she have faith in mel I've
always stood in awe of her as being too good to
overlook any boyish follies"
HE must be told what / did, Iecty, and
must appear before tho church. and tell EN- how
/ fell from grace" said Mis- 'Liakim.
Il shouldn't think 1t WAS necessary since we're
going away. As for Ben, told him. / knew
you would want me to, and want it over with.
He forgave you. OF course it doesn't matter
now that everybody has seen him." Lecty held
her head a little proudly
well, if them that I've wronged SO can for
give mo, and with me, it does make it
seem as if mebbe the Lord would, too" said Mis-
Liakim.